eDebate app design wins Best of State in Verizon’s app challenge

Seventh-grade
students from the debate team at Olympus Junior High School entered the Verizon
App Challenge in fall of 2016. In Jan. 2017, the team won Best in State for
their proposed app, “eDebate.” The app surpassed 800 entries from Utah.

For
winning Best of State, the team “will receive a $5,000 award from the Verizon
Foundation for their school and tablets for each student team member,” said a Verizon spokesperson.

The
contest website posted video submissions from each Best of State entry across
the U.S. The description for the Olympus entry states: “eDebate takes debating
to the 21st century. Your entire case, along with timers, sharing, video and
virtual debate cards, is right at your fingertips. The eDebate app would allow
debaters to create a digital version of debate cards.”

For
a month-long voting period, the public was allowed to vote for their favorite
app on the contest website. Although the team did not win, eDebate acquired 220
votes. The school’s entry competed against 1800 entries nationwide.

“This
is the fifth year for the app challenge,” a Verizon spokesperson said. “The Fan Favorite
component is a new addition to the competition. Judges chose the Best in Region
and Best in the Nation winners, but allowed this new Fan Favorite category for
people across the country to select a winning entry as well.”

Spurgeon explained the motivation behind the app
challenge.

“Verizon
Innovative Learning, the education initiative of the Verizon Foundation,
created the annual app challenge in partnership with the Technology Student Association,
and in collaboration with the MIT Media Lab, to spark greater student interest
in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and provide hands-on learning
experiences,” said a Verizon spokesperson.

She
continued, “As the job market shifts due to the rapid progression of
technological advances, it’s clear we need to do more to spark greater student
interest and proficiency in technology, and give them project-based learning
opportunities.”

High
school students from Jordan Applied Technology Center in West Jordan were also
winners in the Best of State round for their entry, “Pocket Closet.” They, too,
will be awarded the same prize. The proposed app would help people with visual
impairments better manage their wardrobe. During the Fan Favorite round, Pocket
Closet received 971 votes in the national round.

Schools first hear about the app challenge from
Verizon in early fall.

“Verizon
reaches out to the advisors of previous teams to remind them that the app
challenge is opening again soon. They also send the media alert to public
schools to increase awareness,” a Verizon spokesperson said. “Schools also find out on the
web, word of mouth, through news coverage and social media, etc.”

To
participate in the app challenge, teams have to submit an 800-word essay
stating the problem, proposed app solution, unique qualities and features of
the design. A three-minute video is also required for submission.

“The
Best in Nation and Fan Favorite winners will receive additional prizes for
their organizations and schools and will see their app ideas come to life to
become real, working smartphone apps that will be made available for download,” a Verizon spokesperson said. Verizon works with the teams and MIT App Inventor Master
Trainers to develop the product.

The
Fan Favorite and Best in Nation team will present their completed apps at the
annual Technology Student Association Conference in June in Orlando, courtesy of
Verizon Innovative Learning, the education initiative of the Verizon
Foundation. The apps will also be available for download at the Google Play
Store.

“We’ve
seen thousands of students use technology and work together to create app
concepts that are addressing societal issues facing their schools and
communities. By providing these kids with technology, role models and exposure
to STEM-related careers, we can help them to achieve a brighter future,” said a Verizon spokesperson.